Yarmouth Greyhound Homefinders - Summer 2017

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Newsletter

Publisher: Michele Perry Issue Number: 40

Homefinders

Date: Summer 2017

Kennels situated at 51 Cromer Road, Hainford, NR10 3AU (on A140) and are Open from 10am until 2pm every day. www.yarmouth-greyhound-homefinders.co.uk Telephone: 0845 458 3797

Note from the editor

News from the Co-ordinator

As we recently had a period of hot and sunny weather, I was reminded how quickly this past year has gone. This time last year we were replacing our back garden fence to make it taller and stop Bella escaping, and we were planning our trip to France with the dogs.

As many of the volunteers know we are in the process of becoming our own charity away from the Greyhound Trust (formerly the Retired Greyhound Trust). Most things will not change, the kennels and adoption of the greyhounds will continue exactly as before, the main difference is we will have complete control over any funds we raise instead of the money belonging to the Greyhound Trust (GT). We feel this will be beneficial to us with Yarmouth Track supporting us. We have worked with the GT for several years and wish them well in their rehoming of our beautiful breed.

I hope that our experience has helped others to see how easy it is to holiday in Europe with your four legged friends. Here’s hoping the scheme does stay in place once we have left the EU. This year things feel more settled on the home front with our two. Bella still does have her mad moments, and we have to be very careful where we let her off lead. The beach usually one of the places we do let her run (after a good check for possible hazards first). We were left very embarrassed last week however...

The tide was high when we arrived at Mundesley beach (in the dog friendly area). There were some teens having a BBQ behind the new sea defences, so we walked past them on lead, before going over the steps to the beach, and letting the 2 dogs off lead.

They immediately ran along the beach, found a step up the defences, and helped themselves to a raw burger each from waiting to be cooked! Needless to say after getting the dogs back, apologising profusely and putting them back on lead, we walked the long way round to get back, as we couldn’t face going past them again. This lead to another new nickname for the twosome... The Hamburgerlers!

Please send me your stories for the next newsletter: michele_storer@hotmail.com I’ll try to include as many as I can.

Michele

As our own charity we must start to fund raise! How can you help us? There are several ways indicated in this newsletter. We would like to form a specific fund raising group with ideas for events. Does your talent lie in that area? Could you stand at the turnstile with your greyhound and a collecting tin one night a month on race nights? We are very short of folk in the coastal area to collect and most of the collectors are travelling from Norwich or further afield. Could you place a tin in your local shop and be responsible for checking when full and replacing? Do you support our Open Days? Always good fun and meet likeminded people. Have you any ideas of events you could organise in your area, perhaps a village fete or Dog Show we could bring our stall to? Anyone able to arrange a quiz night? We have a quizmaster already. The list is endless and we welcome any legal ideas!

Could you foster a dog for us? We really do need a few more people to take short term an elderly dog or one that has been returned after a long stay in a home.

If you can help in any way please leave me a message on 08454583797 or at the kennels or private message me on Facebook. Waiting for your phone calls.

Corinne Registered Charity No: 1172132

Editor: michele_storer@hotmail.com 25 Vanguard Chase, Costessey, Norwich NR5 0UG

Hetty’s Helpers Hetty is really happy with the continued support of her helpers. The monthly, annual (by standing order) and one off contributions that have been received have helped to provide food and treats for each of our greyhounds in care, new toys for those that want them, medication and vets assistance when necessary and help with the winter heating bill so that all were warm and comfy.

As you see the donations go directly to the dogs and they certainly do appreciate it.

If you would like to become one of Hetty’s Helpers and receive updates, a small gift and other bits and pieces that Hetty can find then please collect a standing order form from the kennels or contact her on jones432@btinternet.com and she will be delighted to send you one.

Hetty has been working very hard with the new charitable status and so now needs lots of helpers to help the change.

All this change…such hard work zzzzzzz

How you can help Autumn Auction

Do You Shop Online?

Do you have any “greyhound” related items that are unwanted, unused or sitting in a box in the attic? If you have would you like to donate them to our Auction at our Open Day on 1st October.

It is a great, fun way of raising money for our dogs. Please have a look and let us know if you have, or better still bring or send them straight to the kennels. For further information contact David on 01263 825139.

If you do, you can help us at no cost to yourself by registering with www.easyfundraising.org.uk It’s absolutely free and there are over 2,700 easyfundraising retailers, including Amazon and eBay, who will make a donation to us as a thank you for shopping with them.You can raise funds for us at the click of your mouse!

Kennel Sponsorship Here is a way you, your friends, your work mates, your family or anyone can help our dogs directly. We are setting up a kennel sponsorship scheme whereby companies, workmates or individuals can sponsor a particular kennel at our premises.

Perhaps you would like to sponsor a kennel in memory of a lost pet or friend.

The kennels are numbered from 1-14 and the names of sponsors will be placed on a board on the particular kennel wall.

Simple. When you register just remember to mention it is Yarmouth Greyhound Homefinders who should receive the donation.

Enter your chosen retailer through the Easyfundraising site and simply shop as normal. The donation to us is automatic.

You would be able to visit your kennel when you wished to give treats to whichever greyhound is there at the time.

You can find out which dog is in your sponsored kennel by looking at our available dogs on the website. It will show each kennel number and who is there.

Kennel sponsorship costs just £50 for one year, £200 for 5 years and £400 for a permanent sponsorship.

Cheques should be made to Yarmouth Greyhound Homefinders and can be sent to us at 51 Cromer Road, Hainford, Norfolk NR103AU. If you’d like more information please call us on 08454 583797.

Letters to the editor

Dear Michele,

Hello Michele,

Three of the puppies Liam,Noel and Willow were at the open day and all enjoyed trying hats on!

Dan (You Dare) has been with us now for just over a year, so I thought I would let you know he is doing well, and has been to France last year so here is a couple of pics.

Robert and Tony Dear Michele I’m having a whale of a time with Rufus, who is doing really well and his true nature has now come out cheeky but at the end of the day very loving and he has really started to thrive in his routines inbetween lashings of fusses by family, friends and neighbours popping in and out, lots of praise and positive reinforcement for being a good boy and of course the usual greyhound traits of finding the comfiest places to sleep! His separation anxiety is getting less and less - and to shudder and think that I almost gave him back to you last year, tut tut - just what was I thinking! I’ll have to ask him whether he wants to dictate you a letter when he has a spare moment inbetween his regular activities of sleeping, eating, walking and running (and he hates walkies with a vengeance when its raining by the way, and has to be dragged out)!

Sarah Dear Michele Matt (now Reggie) has settled in lovely! he’s sleeping through the night without any problems he has a little pine when we go upstairs which last about a minute and that’s it. He’s been loving his walks and really enjoying the sofa. He greets other dogs well and we are really pleased he’s joined the family.

I take him on the school run and he loves getting in the car, we had a meal at a pub yesterday and he sat quietly next to us, he enjoyed the left over chicken!

Dear Michele I have attached a picture of Vinnie (Invincia Fantasy) who we lost to cancer at the end of January. We don’t really do Facebook, but are avid Instagram users and Vinnie even had his own hashtag vinniethegreyhound and has a lovely gallery of photos, so will never be forgotten!

We miss him terribly and it was a very sad loss, but we have since joined the ‘failed fosterer club’. We fostered a dog - Eddie (Eagle Spirit) but it only took us week to fall for his lovely temperament, and he is now in his forever home with us and known as Glenn. Unfortunately he was knocked down by a car shortly after we adopted him which was devastating but a couple of weeks later he has made a miraculous recovery and is improving everyday.

Jo Simmons FERN Fern sadly passed over the rainbow bridge on Feb 6th 2017. She was 13 years old, a brilliant dog. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Greyhounds are so laid back, all they want is a warm bed, food, a walk and to be loved. She has left a paw imprint on our hearts.

Aly

Val Bonnington

BLUE (NEWTOWN DIAMOND)

ANNIE (FAWN FUSION) 09/03/03 - 31/01/17 We lost our beautiful girl Annie on Tuesday 31st January.

She was adored by us, and for 8 years was the centre of our lives. My husband has written this poem about her: Dreamtime Our gorgeous little Annie “Fawn Fusion” her track name And our cuddlesome companion Since ‘09, both for brisk walks out And tasty meals in, But sadly, at home, has quietly Slipped into an endless sleep, We’ll meet again in dreams.

Freda and Andrew Farmer

Blue got his wings on 20 May 2017. He was 9 years old. The last year has been hard watching a big, strong handsome boy lose so much weight. We tried really hard to control the Cushing’s Disease but never quite made it. The constant infections (Cushings is an auto immune condition) took their toll and then to discover that he had a tumour on his left dew claw and cancer in the toe on his right front foot was heartbreaking. Despite all this he kept trying bless him. In the end blood tests showed that he was heading for a catastrophic collapse and I was advised to let him go.

I’ll never forget my clever, gentle boy and I especially miss his unique way of telling me he wanted the toilet. Run free my special man.

Linda Johnson

Hetty goes to school Hetty has recently appeared in the EDP as she is hearing children read at Hillside Avenue School in Norwich. She absolutely loves the attention she gets, has been as good as gold and is showing just what a greyhound is capable of. She sits with the children on a little sofa and listens to them read or tell her tales of things they have done. The children love her, write letters to her and respond very positively to her visit. Both Hetty and the children are getting a great deal out of the friendship. The following picture and article (part) recently appeared in the EDP. “An initiative to encourage children to read has been launched at Hillside Avenue Primary School. Hetty the greyhound visits once a week to listen to stories read by the children.

Hillside Avenue Primary School, in Thorpe St Andrew, has recruited the help of a canine friend to encourage children to build confidence in their reading.

Hetty the greyhound has swapped racing at Great Yarmouth for regular visits to the school, where she sits and listens - and sometimes naps - as pupils read stories aloud.

Liz Ireland, head of early years at the school, said it had transformed children’s attitudes to reading - and had even helped one overcome a fear of dogs.”

Yarmouth Greyhound Homefinders Invite you to

“What a Poser! ... The greyhound in art And design“ An entertaining evening with Mary Alexander showing greyhounds doing what they love best .. posing centre stage. Lots of new material from the visual arts in some surprising places and poses!

Given by

Mary Alexander On Friday 20th October, at 7pm The Stadium, Caister on sea

Tickets £5 from Tel: 0845 458 3797 or the kennels

Todd becomes a PAT dog Pets As Therapy is a charity that I’ve always been aware of, but it wasn’t until late last summer that I really became interested. I was working at UEA and became aware that a group of PAT dogs had been brought in to help de-stress students sitting their resit exams. “Todd could do that” I thought.

to see some of the children who were nervous initially, happily brushing him and smiling. It was very special and confirmed my reasons for wanting to do this.

As well as regular visits, you also get invited to oneoff events. At the time of writing this article we are preparing to take part in a walk at the Sandringham Estate for the Nelson’s Journey charity and in July we will be visiting a dementia café.

Todd had only been in our lives a mere month, but had already proved to be the most well behaved, kind and gentle dog I’d ever met. I visited the PAT website and understandably, you cannot begin the application process until you’ve had your dog for six months. So I waited and on February 19, exactly six months after he arrived, I met area co-ordinator Carole Adam at Pets At Home for his assessment. Carole explained that the assessments are never done at your home as they need to be able to see how your dog copes in a different environment with lots of distractions and new people.

The assessment lasted about 30 minutes in total. Carole wanted to see if he was happy to wait patiently whilst we sat and talked, if he was comfortable with being handled all over and how he reacted to sudden loud noises and movement. Todd aced all the tests and Carole even invited a small child to come and cuddle him, which she said only happens if she is happy. However, you don’t get told whether your dog has passed at the assessment stage.Your application, which has to include two references, is then submitted to head office who make the final decision. This part of the process can take up to three months which can be difficult if like me you were itching to get started.

Getting Todd is without doubt one of the best decisions we ever made and I’m thrilled to be able to share a bit of the happiness he’s brought us with other people.

Eight weeks later, I got the news I’d been hoping for. He had passed! I received a waiting list of establishments that had requested PAT visits and it was left to me to contact any that I was keen to visit.You can also approach somewhere of your own choice. At first I kept things quite low key and did a couple of visits to my youngest daughter’s preschool and my eldest daughter’s school. Once I’d found my feet and felt a bit more confident, I approached a special needs school who had expressed an interest and were on the list. The class in question contains children with the most acute needs in the school. At an initial visit, we went it to meet everyone and Todd immediately lay down on his mat in the middle of the circle and went to sleep. He wasn’t at all fazed. On our second visit, I took his brushes and it was incredible

Email Newsletter If anyone would like to opt out of receiving the printed and posted version of the newsletter, to receive an emailed version instead, please let me know.You can email me at: michele_storer@hotmail.com - let me know your name, postal address and your email address. I’ll add you to the email list, and ask Corinne to remove you from the mailing list. Those who have already let me know do not need to email again. The postage of the newsletter comes to a large amount each edition, so by choosing the email version, you are saving Yarmouth Greyhound Homefinders some of those costs.

Stadium Track Walk

Dogs homed since last newsletter.

Cecil (Cecil The Gent), Bobby (Roxys Boy), Whizzy (Dr Whizz), Eddie (Eagle Star),Vayron (Come On Pilgrim), Ali (Southtown Wolf), Minny (Tic Tac Scrumpy), King (Jacks King), Billy (Whats The Truth), Pat (Saving Day), Corby (Corbys Finest), Rocky (Bloomfield Rocky), Wendy (Windgap Mover), Noddy (Borna Chief), Zeb (Zebdebbee), Jasper (Handy Bill), Mary (Digger Mary), Smokey (Modleys Avenue), Lammy (Lambstown Mill), Smiler (Nippy Lad), Juno (Backdoor Selecta), Buster (Perfect Prospect), Willow (Windgap Falcon), Mackie (Joker Mac), Dukey (Marlfield Duke), Neddie (Mullinahone Gang), Georgia (Subway Georgia), Muttley (Nine Oclock), Poppy (Perfect Moonlite), Locky (Tyra Kinloch), Surgay (Surge Of Power), Matt (Burnpark Brave), Louise (That’s What I Do), Bisto (View Sci Fi), Betty (Borna Betty), Maggie May.

PETS AT HOME VIP CLUB Did you know you can earn money for us at Pets at Home?

Join their VIP Club, it doesn’t cost anything and you regularly get money off coupons.

Log in on petsathome.com/VIP. It will ask you which charity you would like to support. Go to a charity list, we are under Lowestoft for some strange reason,Yarmouth Greyhound Homefinders.

If you are unable to find it ring 0800 328 4204 with your club number and they will add it for you.

Long Stay Residents Arty, Spec and Impey are three of our kennel hounds who have been with us a long time. They are still looking for their forever sofas. Could you offer any of them a home?

Arty is the most handsome and elegant hound with a gleaming black coat. Arty really loves his walks, he finds lots exciting at the moment but with time and socialising, he will soon settle and is improving by the day.

Arty would love to be given the chance to prove what a rewarding, loving and loyal pet he will be, all he needs is a calm and patient owner.

A stunning boy, Spec has a gleaming black coat and an elegant appearance. Spec loves his walks and would love to meet a family who will enjoy taking long walks in the countryside with him. At only four years young, Spec loves to show off his playful character once he feels settled; a real pleasure to see. Spec will make a great family pet, he’s most looking forward to having a sofa to laze around on.

A stunning boy, Impey has a unique, shiny white and black coat, he is sure to turn heads out and about. Impey can be very shy with new people, he is seeking a calm and patient family who will give him all the time and TLC he needs to settle into home life. Once you win his trust, Impey’s playful character will begin to shine, he will be a rewarding pet.

From Sofa to 10k – for those racers who just want the sofa! (A sponsorship plea…)

A little under two years ago we lost our lovely 12 year old greyhound to a sudden illness and we were so devastated.

When we were ready Yarmouth Greyhound Homefinders helped us fill the greyhound shaped hole in our life with this cheeky bundle of love: She didn’t get a full career at the track as she had an injury that stopped her from racing (although it doesn’t stop the zoomies round the garden)! Without Yarmouth Greyhound Homefinders to support ex-racers (whether they have had a full career or a short-lived one) these lovely guys and gals would have an even harder time to find their forever homes with a sofa just for them as so many people don’t realise what great pets they make. These lovely volunteers foster them, support them by raising cash and getting donations of food, blankets, and so on, are doing their bit to make sure that until that retirement sofa is ready they have somewhere warm and dry to stay, food in their tums and a friendly face to walk them every day – come rain or shine. They help them adjust to life after the track, and help them understand what it means to be retired.

I haven’t run a race since I left school (which is a scarily long time ago now) but on 6th August 2017 I’ll be taking to the streets of Norwich to take on the Run Norwich 10k race (http://www. runnorwich.co.uk/). I’ll be running this for all the boys and girls in the kennels at Hainford to keep them in treats, food, blankies and all those other things that they need until they too have a sofa of their own to put their paws up...

If you have a few pennies to donate, no matter how big or small a donation, I’d be grateful for the support. It’ll make those 10k easier to run round (particularly the hilly bits)!

Details of just giving page to follow or please email joggerslane@gmail.com!

2017 Events

2017 Walks

Sunday 2nd July Discover South Norfolk Long Stratton 11-4

July 15th Holt Country Park. Meet at Mackay’s Hill car park, Hempstead Road (off the A148)not Main car park in Norwich Road (B1149) at 11am

Sunday 9th July Summer Open Day at kennels 11am3pm Sunday 30th July Wells Next the Sea Fete All Day Saturday/Sunday August 12th 13th Starting Handle Show at Marsham on A140 Dog Show on Saturday Sunday 27th Monday 28th August All About Dogs Norfolk Showground Sunday 1st October Autumn Open Day 11-2 Auction. 12md Saturday 9th Dec Christmas Fayre Taverham Village Hall 1pm -3.30pm

September 10th Earlham Park, Norwich 11am Meeting point TBA. Please be aware there may be loose dogs on this walk. Café at the end of walk October 15th Winterton on Sea beach walk. Meet 11am in Car Park. Café at the end of walk.

November 19th Saxlingham Nethergate Playing Field 11am, followed by soup in the Scout Hall.

Spotted!

Here’s a ‘spotted’ for the next newsletter.

In Jarrolds. £189!!!

Spotted by Hannah’s mum.

Spotted by Hazel Jubb in a magazine article about The Charterhouse, Sutton’s Hospital, London, where the pew ends all carry the greyhound head crest of Thomas Sutton a 17th century philanthropist

Greyhound bookends, spotted in TK Max. Corner Cottage sign, spotted in Horsham St Faiths

Spotted by Coleen, the entrance to Acton Park, which was the entrance to Acton Estate one of the most important houses in Wrexham, north Wales.

The gateway was known as “The Four Dogs” and became a much loved landmark by the local people.

Greyhounds and hot weather Heat can kill your dog. If it’s been hot, please use common sense and good judgment when you take your dog out in the heat. Greyhounds, because of their lack of fat and hair, don’t have the resistance some other dogs have to the heat.

The following are some guidelines.

WATER - Water, water, water – Always have water in the car, and with you on walks.

Ice – Take a thermos full of ice with you Squirt Bottle – Bring a squirt bottle filled with cold, ice water everywhere you go. Squirt your greyhound often. Wet his coat, his ears, his legs and belly.

Cool Coats – Using a terry cloth towel, wet it and drape it over your greyhound.You can also use a dog coat pattern and make one for your greyhound. But you must not let this coat get hot, or it traps in the heat, vs cooling the dog down. So it must be dipped in cool water frequently.

Pools – some greyhounds love to sit in paddling pools. They think they are the epitome of cool splayed out in these kiddie pools, staying cool!

Activities Walks – the best time is early morning.

Street pavements are cooler and so is the air temperature. Do NOT walk your greyhound during the day, or even early evenings if it’s still hot. Pavements are very hot, and it’s been a full day of heat. Feel the pavement with the back of your hand, if you cant keep it on the ground for more than a few seconds, then it could burn your dog’s paws.

Monitor your greyhound’s play at all times during hot weather. They may not know when enough is enough. Put the sprinkler system on when they are playing, this will help to keep them cool.

Graphic taken from: https://www.fix.com

If they appear hot, hose them down, or apply wet towels around the belly and between the legs.

Luckily our sofa loving friends are usually quite happy to miss a walk or two if it means extra snoozing time.

Be safe, not sorry.

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